HCAOG Forms New Committee for Trail Maintenance, Debates Regional Housing Allocations

New Committee to Tackle Long-Term Trail Funding

**EUREKA, CA** – The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) board voted unanimously on Thursday to create a new ad hoc committee tasked with finding sustainable funding solutions for the maintenance of the county's extensive trail network.

The decision comes amid growing concerns about how to fund the upkeep of existing and future trails, which are a cornerstone of local recreation and transportation. The committee will include representatives from Rio Dell, Arcata, Eureka, the County of Humboldt, and Caltrans. It is expected to be formed within the next several months.

During public comment, board members expressed strong support for the initiative. "We need a long-term solution," said Supervisor Steve Madrone, who suggested the committee could explore options like a potential property tax assessment specifically for open space, parks, and trails.

Board Recommends Housing Allocation Plan

The board also spent a significant portion of the meeting discussing its approach to the state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). The process requires all California jurisdictions to plan for a certain number of new housing units across all income levels to address the statewide housing shortage.

HCAOG's role is to develop a methodology for distributing Humboldt County's total allocation among its member cities and the unincorporated county. The board reviewed two primary alternatives and ultimately recommended a methodology that allocates future housing needs based on a 50/50 split between projected job growth and population distribution.

Development Services Director Cristin Kenyon highlighted the complexities of the process for local governments. She explained the challenges that built-out cities like Eureka face in demonstrating to the state's Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) that they have adequate sites for new housing, including for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The discussion underscored the pressure on local jurisdictions to provide sufficient evidence of future development to meet their RHNA goals.

In Other Business

The board also unanimously approved the City of Arcata's request to withdraw its membership from the Social Services and Transit Advisory Committee (SS TAC), effective at the start of the fiscal year. The meeting's consent calendar, which included the minutes from the August 18th meeting, was also approved without opposition.